Can't Own A Roo, Want To Borrrow One To Breed...

[SanDiegoPeeps]

Hi there,

Our flock is great and they are all laying. This is our first go with hens, they are all 8 months old now and we would like to breed. Can anyone give me some advice on how "borrowing" a roo works or if that's what people do when they can't own a rooster due to ordinances? If borrowing is indeed what people do, then how does the breeding process work from there? Do we just put the roo and the hen or hens we want to breed in a closed area together or is there more to a courtship and timeframe than that? I'm naive to this so any and all help is GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[Domestic_goddess]

You'll find that most people will not do this, it's because of bio-security issues, in other words...spread of disease. Which will happen very easily and wipe out an entire flock. If you want fertile eggs your best bet is order fertile eggs from someone you know or online.
I hope that helps, Good luck! Maybe someone else will answer you question in more detail.

 

[SanDiegoPeeps]

Thanks, that makes sense. We were hoping to go about it the old fashioned way, but with that tid-bit of knowledge I would rather protect the flock!

 

[Illia]

But hey look on the bright side - That's when there's hatching eggs around.

If you want to breed chickens that means you must have an incubator or broody hen around, which means you're eligible for buying already fertilized eggs from around the country.

So think of it. . . Without a rooster, you can ask for just about any color of any breed and someone has it for you out there.

 

[SanDiegoPeeps]

That is so true! Who lays your dark chocolate eggs in the pic? We do have an easter egger and love her egg color! But our broody hen is the silkie, that girl sits on everyone's eggs, makes the strangest noises and won't come out of the coop so she would love some good, fertile eggs! It really would be fun to pick our breeds again.

 

[nanawendy]

When I didn't have a roo a friend gave me 2 of his fertile eggs. Great outcome.
I too wanted a "sleepover" but was told about the bio-security issues. Thank goodness for the informed people @ BYC

BTW

and enjoy your

 

[nanawendy]

And to answer the dark egg ?... Wellies, Barnavelders and Marans . On the breeds and genetics section... you'll find a dark egg thread.

 

[SanDiegoPeeps]

Thanks for your post, at least now I know I'm not the only one that wanted to give the hens the old fashioned option.... I am sure grateful for all of you that follow BYC, an amazing community that truly cares about these beautiful creatures.

 

[Illia]

Blue Wheaten Marans and Black Copper Marans are what lay the dark eggs in my avatar.

Very quiet, gentle, large breed with large to jumbo sized eggs and moderate broody tendencies.

 

[SanDiegoPeeps]

Thanks so much for the breeds, I'm loving that dark egg and may want to add one of those breeds to our flock